Four Mile Creek Greenway & Squirrel Lake Park, Matthews, NC

I had an opportunity to go check out this really nice place in Matthews. The Town of Matthews and Mecklenburg County created the Four Mile Creek Greenway. The Greenway is about 2 miles long and has asphalt, concrete and boardwalk sections.  It is mainly used for walking and biking. There are entrances to several neighborhoods along the way. There’s lots of great signage.

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It seems that Squirrel Lake Park has been here forever, yet, I have not found it necessary to go investigate. The Park has 29 acres.  There’s a lake with large dock, really nice playground area, large picnic shelters, grills, trails, a new restroom area complete with “dog bar” and lots of parking.

Real Estate: January 2012 Newsletter

ROI matters

If you’re looking to make some upgrades to your home this year, be sure to think about what makes sense for your  lifestyle as well as what will offer the best return on investment. Start by checking out the results of Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value report.

If you have an attic, you could be using it for much more than just storing holiday decorations and boxes of mementos. According to the report, converting part of the attic into an extra bedroom — which, on average, costs just over $50,000 — can recoup 72 percent of the cost when the home is sold.

On the other hand, the addition of a deluxe master suite (an average cost of $230,000) will only recoup just over half of the investment.

100% Financing is still Available In Charlotte Area Real Estate Market

You know, like many of you, I thought 100% financing had vanished due to the banking debacle. Would it interest you to know that there is still 100% financing available?

You have to have good credit and can’t make more than 80% of medium household income for Mecklenburg County, which equates to roughly $54,000 per year.  And best of all – there is no PMI!

There are a few other requirements – if you are interested in finding out how you can purchase a Charlotte area home with this financing, contact me.

I’d like to be YOUR Realtor of choice for 2012.

Have a GREAT 2012.

Debbie Arriero

The Pet Children

I absolutely love family get togethers and this is why – I get to see the girl’s dogs. We don’t have any dogs, so when they bring their dogs home with them, the dogs become mine – at least for a little while. I take them for walks, clean up after them, play with them, and then send them home.

This is Bonnie Blue – she is a Chihuahua and weighs just over 3 lbs. Isn’t she the cutest? She’s about 7-8 yrs old.

 

 

 

 

New Year’s Happenings In Charlotte

We normally stay at home, with our sparkling cider in hand, and watch the New York Times Square ball drop at midnight. But, if you’re possibly new to the area, here are a few events going on to ring in the New Year around Charlotte.

First Night Charlotte – this is Charlotte’s largest alcohol-free event in Uptown Charlotte – there’s plenty  for the kids to do between 12:00 – 5:00pm, and they even have their own countdown between 4:00 – 5:00pm. Around 8:00pm things pick up again for the evening’s activities.

• Where: NASCAR Hall of Fame, outside Charlotte Convention Center, Mint Museum, The Green, Bechtler Museum, Levine Avenue of the Arts.
• When: December 31st – Kid’s Celebration 12:00 – 5:00pm; evening festivities 8:00pm – 12:30am
• Admission: Wristbands are $10.00 for adults, kids 5-12 $5.00 (with banded adult) and 4 and under free (with banded adult). Various locations to buy bands (prior to event) – check with Visitor Info Center; day of event, bands can be purchased between 10:00 – 4:00pm, and between 7:00 – 9:00pm. The Info Center is located at South Tryon and MLK St.

Free Charlotte Area Holiday Happenings

I so love this time of year – there’s just so much hustle and bustle going on. Here are a few more free events to do during the holiday season.

Puppies for Patients: Have you ever donated the “gift of Life”? If not, it is the biggest gift that you can ever give. I was a recipient of 4 pints of blood myself when I was 17.  So, I personally donate several times a year. It is such an easy thing to do.  When you donate blood now through the end of December, you can sign a tag that will be attached to a stuffed puppy, that will be delivered to children in local hospitals.

• When: now thru end of December
• Where: Community Blood Center
  • 4447 South Blvd., Charlotte
  • 704-972-4700

 

More Charlotte Area Holiday Happenings

Hare are a few more Charlotte area holiday festivities to brighten your day. It’s a great time to get out and see what the Charlotte area has to offer during this beautiful time of year.

Holiday on Ice Outdoor Ice Skating Rink:

• When: now thru January 8, 2012, various hours
• Where: NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza Uptown

• 400 East Martin Luther King Blvd, Charlotte
• 704-315-3666

Admission: $9.00; skate rental: $3.00

Charlotte Area Happenings

Here are some local happenings for the holidays – it’s a great time to get out and see what the Charlotte area has to offer during this beautiful time of year.

Holiday concert by the Matthews Concert Band:

• When: 7:30pm December 15
• Where: Matthews Community Center
  • 100 McDowell St. Matthews
• Admission: Free

Wow this stuff really worked!

Now we all know to use WD40 on hinges, screws, door locks, etc.  I read somewhere that WD40 could be used on smudges, scuff marks, etc on hardwood floors, vinyl floors, etc.  I’m here to share with you that this stuff actually worked! We’ve had a large mark on our hardwood floors that’s been there since we bought the house, in 1999! It was gummy; I’ve tried everything over the years, but it never came off.  Lo and behold, the WD40 worked!  Well, next thing I knew, my husband was trying it on the vinyl floor that has scuff marks – viola! Then he really got carried away and tried it on the scuff marks on the clothes dryer. That stuff worked there too!

Matthews Hometown Holiday Festival 2011

So, last night, my husband and I decided to go check out the Festival  as we have never been.  I thought I knew exactly where we were going. So as not to have any parking issues, we parked at Matthews UMC – were there was plenty of parking (actually no one was there.) We took the camera (my husband asked if we should take the extra battery – I said no), and headed up Trade St, noting that there wasn’t anybody around. Strange, I thought.

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